192 DENIZENS OF THE FOREST 



and has a black streak from the base of the bill to the eye. 

 Length, 11 inches. 



It is known as the Tortel-duif, and has a pleasant 

 cooing note which is very much in evidence towards 

 sunset. The somewhat harsh call of the Turtle-Dove is 

 described by some authors as monotonous, which we hardly 

 think is the opinion of Colonial-born men, who love the 

 music of its call. 



The Turtle-Doves feed on grain and seeds, and according 

 to Mr. Thomsen devour a fair proportion of voetgangers. 



Their nests are frail platforms of sticks, and the eggs are 

 white and two in number, and may be searched for from 

 September to March. 



The Laughing Dove (T. senegalensis) is smaller than the 

 Cape Turtle-Dove, and is without the black half collar on 

 the back of the neck ; the feathers of the sides and front of 

 the neck are supplied with black bases and reddish tips, 

 forming a broad indistinct and mottled collar. Length, 

 about 10| inches. 



It ranges from Egypt to Cape Town, and although common 

 in many districts is not so plentiful as capicola. 



In habits this Dove resembles its Cape cousin, but has a 

 strange laughing sort of call-note. We took nests in the 

 Transvaal in November and April. 



The Namaqua Dove (OEna capensis), male, is well known 

 with its black head and upper breast, white belly, and long 

 tail ; the female is without the black markings. This bird 

 is the smallest of the doves, so far as the body is concerned. 

 It is of the same length, to the end of the longest tail feather, 

 as the Laughing Dove. 



It is fairly common throughout South Africa, excepting 

 the coast districts, where i) is rarer and a migrant. 



